Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2024.

The report advised that a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde had originally been prepared in 2004, highlighting that the plan had been developed with representation from local authorities and a range of organisations and stakeholders with an interest in biodiversity. During 2018 a Biodiversity Action Plan for Renfrewshire had been developed in partnership with biodiversity partner organisations active in the area. A copy of the Renfrewshire Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2024 was attached as an appendix to the report. The Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2024 updated the 2018 Plan reflecting current Scottish Government guidance and legislation which placed a strong emphasis on the response to climate change and biodiversity, such as the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 and National Planning Framework 4. In addition, the plan continued to set out a positive and ambitious approach, identifying a range of principles and actions which reflected the current landscape of active biodiversity partner organisations and their activities. In this context the plan provided a refreshed framework for conservation, promotion and enhancement of biodiversity across Renfrewshire. It was highlighted that progress on delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan would be monitored by the Council and partners through a Steering Group, with updates reported to this Policy Board as appropriate.

During discussion it was proposed and agreed that arrangements be made to undertake a re-evaluation of the Council’s land portfolio in recognition of regenerated sites within the Council’s ownership.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2024, a copy of which was appended to the report, be approved and published on the Council website; and

(b)  That arrangements be made to undertake a re-evaluation of the Council’s land portfolio in recognition of regenerated sites within the Council’s ownership.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the updating of discretionary fees associated with Building Standards.

The report advised that the Council’s Building Standards team undertook tasks which were both statutory and non-statutory in nature. Statutory tasks were set out in relevant legislation and charges payable applied in line with nationally set fees.  Fees relating to non-statutory tasks were set locally and it was highlighted that the discretionary fees associated with Building Standards had last been reviewed in Renfrewshire during 2007.  The report recommended that the fees be increased to take account of current costs and staff time, and Appendix 1 of the report set out proposed discretionary fees, effective from 1 July 2024, associated with Building Standards.  The report also indicated that to ensure fees continued to reflect the demands placed upon the Building Standards Team, it was proposed that an annual increase was applied to all matters listed in Appendix 1 in line with the percentage increase applied to charges for services agreed as part of the Council’s annual budget setting process. The new charges would be effective from 1 April annually. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the proposed discretionary charging fees associated with Building Standards, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and

(b) That the annual increase, to discretionary charging fees associated with Building Standards as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved. The annual increase
would be applied on 1st April each year in line with any percentage increase applied to charges for services as agreed as part of the Council’s annual budget setting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a revised street naming and numbering protocol and proposing the introduction of charges for the street naming and numbering process.

The report advised that the power to name and number streets was provided to the Council by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Within Renfrewshire Council, these powers had been delegated to the Head of Economy & Development. A synopsis of the range of tasks in relation to this delegation was provided. The report highlighted that the current street naming and numbering protocol had been agreed in 2012 and that the Council did not currently charge for its naming and numbering service.  A revised street naming and numbering protocol was attached as Appendix 1 of the report for approval. The document set out the protocol the Head of Economy & Development would undertake when assigning new street names, matters that would be taken into account in assigning street names and numbers and some of the conventions that would be followed in doing so. It also illustrated how properties would be numbered in different types of developments.  With regards to the process for assigning street names, the revised protocol also indicated that the Head of Economy & Development would consult with local elected members, the local community council(s), and any ‘tenants and residents’ associations operating in the area. 

Analysis by the Council, undertaken in January 2024, had found that twenty-four Scottish local authorities charged for street naming and numbering services. The time
involved in identifying and consulting on new street names and numbering properties could be substantial and it was considered reasonable for Renfrewshire Council to introduce charges for this service to assist with cost recovery. Appendix 2 of the report set out proposed charges for the service which were comparative to those charged by other Scottish local authorities who charged for the service. Charges would not be applicable for social rented houses within developments by Renfrewshire Council. The report proposed that the charges were introduced from 1 July 2024, and increased on 1 April each year in line with any percentage increase which was applied to charges for services as agreed as part of the Council’s annual budget setting.

Councillor Paterson, seconded by Councillor Smith, moved that the street naming and numbering protocol, which formed Appendix 1 of the report, be approved subject to amendment to permit the naming of streets after living people.

Councillor N Graham being the mover of an amendment which failed to find a seconder asked that his dissent be recorded in terms of Standing Order 23.  

DECIDED: 

(a) That the street naming and numbering protocol set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved subject to amendment to permit the naming of streets after living people; and

(b) That the introduction of charges for street naming and numbering as set out in
Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Planning Enforcement Charter 2024, a copy of which was appended to the report.  

The report advised that in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) the planning enforcement charter required to be reviewed every two years. The updated Charter outlined the role of the Council, applicable policies and procedures and the standards of service to be expected. The Charter highlighted that the purpose of planning enforcement was to find a solution and/or deal with the issue rather than seek to punish, with enforcement being a discretionary power and each case being considered in terms of the nature of the planning breach and the wider public interest. The Planning Enforcement Charter 2024 proposed that the following issues be prioritised: (i) Significant detrimental impact on public safety; (ii) Irreversible damage to listed buildings; (iii) Significant detrimental impact on amenity; (iv) Impact on trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders/in Conservation Areas; and (iv) unauthorised felling of trees and matters affecting trees. The proposed Charter detailed the processes and procedures deployed when breaches of planning control would be dealt with. In addition, the Charter provided information and advice as to how suspected breaches of planning control could be brought to the attention of the Planning Authority. 

The report highlighted that funding had been made available within the Council budget 2024 for a Planning Enforcement Officer post for the next two years, that the post was currently being advertised and that one of the primary responsibilities of the new postholder would be to implement the new Enforcement Charter.

During discussion, it was proposed and agreed that the Chief Planning Officer write to the Scottish Government requesting that legislation be reviewed to enable local government to intervene pro-actively and protect trees on privately-owned sites to be developed where it was considered to be in the public interest.  Arrangements would be made to share the response received from the Scottish Government with members of this Policy Board.

DECIDED:  

(a) That the Renfrewshire Planning Enforcement Charter 2024, a copy of which formed Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and 

(b) That the Chief Planning Officer write to the Scottish Government requesting that legislation be reviewed to enable local government to intervene pro-actively and protect trees on privately-owned sites to be developed where it was considered to be in the public interest and that arrangements be made to share the response received from the Scottish Government with members of this Policy Board.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the consultation document published by the Scottish Government on resourcing Scotland’s planning system.

The report stated that the consultation document detailed a range of options which sought to improve the capacity of the Scottish planning system and planning authorities and sought views on a range of issues including planning fees, increasing discretionary charging and resourcing other elements of the planning system. A draft response, attached as Appendix 1 of the report, had been prepared on behalf of Renfrewshire Council and was submitted for consideration.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that the Scottish Government had published a consultation document on resourcing Scotland’s planning system; and 

(b) That the draft response, Appendix 1 of the report, be approved and submitted as the Council’s response.

There were submitted reports by the Chief Executive relative to the following   applications for planning permission that required to be determined by the Board.

(a) 19/0765/PP - Erection of residential development in principle at Erskine Bridge Hotel Erskine Harbour Erskine PA8 6AN by Cosmopolitan Hotels Limited

C Murray, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal. 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report.

(b) 22/0310/AD - Display of two internally illuminated box signs (in retrospect) at 2 West Brae Paisley PA1 2EB by Mr Abubakr Malik

J Weir, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal. 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report.


(c) 23/0354/PP - Redevelopment, partial demolition and conversion of former infirmary into 45 flats and erection of two blocks of additional flats providing 36
units, with associated parking and landscaping at Alexandra Nursing Home Calside Paisley PA2 6LX by Mr Abdullah Hamid

A McKenzie, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal. It was highlighted that the report of handling contained an error in that the first paragraph of page 149 of the agenda pack relating to education provision made reference to St Fergus Primary school in error and should be deleted.  It was indicated that no issues were raised by the development in relation to current primary school capacities in the area. 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. 

(d) 23/0355/LB - Redevelopment, partial demolition and conversion of former infirmary into 45 flats at Alexandra Nursing Home Calside Paisley PA2 6LX by
Mr Abdullah Hamid

A McKenzie, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal .

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. 

(e) 23/0738/PP - Construction of vehicular access and associated works at Torrance House Erskine Harbour Erskine PA8 6PA by CWP Erskine Ltd

C Murray, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. 

(f) 24/0052/EB - Section 36 application to construct and operate a 150MW battery energy storage facility together with associated infrastructure, substation, security fencing, cctv, security lighting and landscaping (Energy Consents Unit consultation request) to view plans go to https://www.energyconsents.scot/  at Neilston Battery Storage System Site, Gleniffer Road Paisley by Carolanne Brown Energy Consents Unit Scottish Government

J Weir, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that no objection be submitted in respect of the Section 36 application subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That no objection be submitted in respect of the Section 36 application subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. 

(g) 24/0118/PP - Section 42 application to vary conditions 4 and 5 of planning permission 99/02668/DC, to allow for increased gross retail floorspace and to widen the range of goods sold from Unit I and to consolidate previously granted consents to allow a wider range of goods to be sold from Units D2, E and J at Braehead Retail Park 136 King's Inch Drive Renfrew Glasgow G51 4BT by Braehead (Glasgow) Ltd

F Knighton, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal.

It was highlighted that condition 2 as detailed on page 209 of the agenda pack required to be amended to read:-

The retail warehouses shall be used for the sale of Do-It-Yourself, furniture, carpets, electrical, gardening goods and automotive goods and accessories to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority, with the exception that:

Unit I and its associated external display area comprising 3,439 square metres gross will comprise of Class 1A retail floorspace under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 (as amended), with no more than 825 square metres used for the sale of convenience goods.

Unit D2 shall be used for the sale of Class 1A unrestricted comparison (non-food) goods only in accordance with planning permission reference 13/0502/PP.

Unit E shall be used for the sale of Class 1A unrestricted comparison (non-food) goods only in accordance with planning permission reference 21/0027/PP.

Unit J, which measures 10,558 square metres gross, shall be used for the sale of Class 1A goods, of which no more than 6,332 square metres shall be used for the sale of convenience goods and no more than 4,226 square metres shall be used for the sale of comparison goods. This is in accordance with planning permission 08/0698/PP.       

Reason: To define the consent to ensure the use of the retail units reflects the role and function of the commercial centre, and to ensure that the use does not have an adverse impact upon the role and function of any other network centre.

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that no objection be submitted in respect of the Section 42 application subject to the conditions and reasons, as amended and detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions, including the amendment noted above and reasons as detailed within the report. 

(h) 24/0153/PP - Erection of up to a 49.9MW Battery Energy Storage System Ward 2 (BESS) at Land Off Barnwell/Wright Street Renfrew PA4 8AN by P3P Partners LLP

J Weir, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal.

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That the application be refused for the reasons detailed within the report.